How ENBREL Works

Chronic inflammatory diseases like moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing
spondylitis, and moderate to severe juvenile idiopathic arthritis are believed to be caused by a problem
with the immune system. The immune system protects the body from infections and certain diseases. One of the proteins that plays an important role in the immune system is called tumor necrosis factor (TNF).

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)

People with these inflammatory conditions have, among many changes in the immune system, too much TNF in their bodies. Although TNF is a normal part of immune response, increased levels of TNF play a role in the inflammation associated with certain rheumatic conditions. ENBREL reduces levels of the active form of TNF. ENBREL works on your immune system to reduce inflammation and help manage certain rheumatic conditions. ENBREL is not approved to treat all rheumatic conditions. ENBREL is indicated to treat rheumatic conditions like ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and moderately to severely active RA and JIA.

ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, keeping joint damage from getting worse, and improving physical function in patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. ENBREL can be taken with methotrexate or used alone.

ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in children ages 2 years and older.

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)

ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis.

Supportive data

Moderate to Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

In medical studies, ENBREL was shown to be clinically effective in about 2 out of 3 adults with moderate to severe RA at 3 months. ENBREL has been shown to begin working in as few as 2 weeks, and most patients who benefit will do so within 3 months. In another medical study, 55% of patients who were evaluated 5 years after beginning ENBREL therapy had no further progression of joint damage.